Fans have been concerned that a beloved television show would lose its character now that its streaming rights have been bought by the Walt Disney Company.
Doctor Who is one of those classic British shows that has become a staple of British television. The show began in 1963 and ran until 1989. It was revived in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston taking on the role of the Doctor (a time travelling alien called the Time Lord).
When Disney bought the streaming rights to Doctor Who, fans were worried that the show would be ruined. However, the producer believes this won’t be the case. Here’s why.
Joel Collins Speaks on Doctor Who
The new season of Doctor Who has Ncuti Gatwa taking on the role of the fifteenth Doctor. Ncuti Gatwa is joined by Millie Gibson, who plays the orphan companion, Ruby Sunday.
But while some are worried Disney’s larger role in the series will negatively impact the new season, this is what producer Joel Collins had to say about it.
“From the Disney perspective, it’s just a bigger audience,” Collins told SFX magazine. “So, the show is bigger. But it’s the same? It’s hard to explain… So, all of the fear that everyone had, the ‘Disneyisation’ or whatever you call it, that would only happen if it wasn’t being made by Russell. Or by somebody who wasn’t as big a fan as Russell.”
However, while Collins commented audiences wouldn’t have to worry about the “Disneyisation” of the show, Disney’s presence has been making a difference to showrunner Russell T Davies.
“Russell wanted to bring fun to it, he just wanted to bring joy into the show and challenge people in all the right ways that Russell does. But also make it fun at the right points, make it really fun, take you on a ride,” Collins shared.
“So, I think that’s where the barrier to entry is removed, because adults and children alike enjoy that. And it’s not like, ‘Oh, it’s just for kids,’ or ‘It’s just for adults’ or any of this stuff.
Ultimately, when it comes to the new season, which was preceded by a Christmas special with Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson and, prior to that, David Tennant-led specials, the proof will be in the pudding.